Eagles RB LeSean McCoy is real challenge for Jaguars

The Eagles' LeSean McCoy looks for running room during a preseason game against the Steelers on Aug. 21 in Philadelphia. McCoy rushed for 1,607 yards last season.

Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy is ready to start cashing the check he wrote early in training camp.

In a Twitter post, McCoy said he’s poised for a 2,000-yard rushing season, a feat accomplished only by seven running backs in NFL history. Last year, he won the rushing title with 1,607 yards.

“This is THE YEAR!!! My potential is #2000 yards. Will I reach it? Stepping up my training and signs point to yes,’’ he tweeted.

McCoy begins his quest on Sunday against the Jaguars and says he’s recovered from turf toe and a sprained thumb during camp.

McCoy downplayed that 2,000-yard comment on Wednesday, saying it was a promotion with Bounce For Men, which is donating $10 for every yard he gains up to $20,000 to his Shades of Greatness Foundation.

“It was a promotional thing,’’ he said. “A partnership.’’

Still, McCoy recently made the case on ESPN that he’s the best running back in pro football.

“My brother always rips me all the time, trying to make me play harder. I say, ‘I’m the best,’ and he’ll say, ‘Did Adrian Peterson retire?’ I look at the last three years, and I think AP has been the best back for so long, and he’s been doing it for so long, that’s why he automatically get the best running back [title],’’ McCoy said. “But the last three years? I’ve been All-Pro, first team, twice. I never leave the field. I block. I catch. I don’t have anybody to do my job. I do it myself. Tons of credit goes out to Adrian Peterson. I’m a big fan of his, for sure. But I feel I’m the best.’’

McCoy will present a challenge to a Jaguars run defense that ranked 29th last year but was retooled in the offseason with the addition of Chris Clemons, Red Bryant and Ziggy Hood to the defensive line.

“What’s unique about the Jaguars is when you think of the Jaguars, you don’t think of a winning team,’’ McCoy said. “But when you put them on tape, they can play. I think, first up, the front four. They’re really getting it going. When you add Clemons. I know Clemons. He played here with the Eagles. He’s an aggressive and athletic d-lineman. They can play. They’ve got a pretty good defense.’’

The players on that defense know they face a big challenge containing McCoy on Sunday.

“He’s proved he’s a great back. He creates things when there is nothing there. Never seen a guy lose five and still gain 10 in the process,’’ Hood said.

Added defensive tackle Roy Miller: “He is a great running back, especially in open field when he makes a lot of people miss. He’s an exciting player to watch, and he’s definitely going to be a challenge. We’ve all got to be in our gaps. That’s the key.’’